Africa 'wants seat at G8 table'
25/06/2010
African nations are hoping for a long-term place at the G8 table, it has been revealed.
Leaders from six African countries will be in attendance at the G8 summit in Toronto, Canada, this weekend, Radio France Internationale reports.
And campaigners from the continent will be hoping to make their voices heard at the event, the source noted.
A hand-picked group of African leaders are invited to join the discussions this year but there have been calls for greater involvement for the region.
Soren Ambrose, an aid expert and representative of ActionAid, said: "We'd like to see the African Union chairman make a clear demand that they should have permanent representation at the G20."
It is expected one of the main topics of discussion at the upcoming gathering will concern mothers and babies in developing nations.
A recent report released by the International Food Policy Research Institute warned Africa needs to spend more on agriculture if it is to avoid repeats of food shortages seen over the last few years.
Written by Simon Bassett
